Stapling device



W. G. PANKONIN STAPLING DEVICE March 3, 1936.

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March 3, 1936.

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Patented Mar. 3, V15936 PATENT lvorrlcle;

srAPuNG DEVICE William G. Pankonin, Chicago, lll., assignor Ace FastenerCorporation, Chicago, Ill., a corfporation of Illinois ApplicationJanuary 9, 1932, Serial No. 585,710 I.

58 Claims.

The present invention relates to a stapling device. Its objectsparticularly rela-te to improvements in means for securing a stapledriving mechanism to a. base; to an extension for a staple driving arm;to means for connecting a staple driving device or an extension thereonto a base; to an improved stop for a spring spool or end; to an improvedmeans for attaching an actuating spring to a stapler follower; to animproved handle for a follower block; to a new and unique means forholding a follower spring in a staple ejector housing; to a new andimproved anvil for a stapling device; to means for preventing thebuckling of a staple during its insertion into material; mechanism; tomeans for preventing staples from being accidently ejected from astapling device; to a new improved means for forming the end of a staplefollower spring; and -to a generally improved staple driving device.

The objects of the invention also include a new and improved means forlimiting and dening vthe movement of a staple driving arm relative toits supporting base.

These objects, and such other objects as may hereinafter appear areobtained by a. novel construction, unique arrangement, and improvedAcombination of the several elements forming the embodiments of theinvention illustrated in the accompanying two sheets of drawings, herebymade a part of this specification, and in which the numerousimprovements mentioned herein.- above are illustrated.

In the drawings referred toz- Figurel is a plan view of a completestapllng device made in accord with the invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2; s

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are a vertical section, a bottom View, and ahorizontal section of one form of a staple driving head. Figures 5 and 6being taken on the lines 5-5 and 6 6, respectively, of Figure 4;

` Figure 6a is a'vertical transverse section on the line 6a of Figure 4;

Figures 7, 8 and 9 are a vertical section, a bottom view, and ahorizontal section of a second form of head, the' Figures 8 and 9 beingtaken on the lines 8-9 and 9 9,A respectively,

of Figure '7;

Figure 10 is a horizontal section through a stapling head illustrating'one form of tensionto staple deforming ing device for a' staple followerspring and the manner of attaching the latter; j

Figure 11 is a fragmentary side elevation vof a stapler head possessingthe tensioning device illustrated in Figur'e 10;

Figures f 12, 13,.14'.and 15, respectively, are a transverse horizontalsection, and three verti. cal sections of 'a second tensioning device,FiguresA 13 and .14 being on the lines. I3--l3 -and lll-TM of Figure 12,and'Flgure 15 being averticaltransverse section;

Figures. 16' and 17, respectively. are a trans` verse horizontal sectionandaI side elevation of a third form of tensioningdevice; L l

Figure 18is.a group of 4staples,'A toG. as deformed in-.thevarious.types of. stapling devices herein described' and illustrated;

Figure 1 9 is an enlarged sectional detail of the rear end .of the baseextensions, and -connecting members therebetween; t.. 4-

Figure 20 is an, enlarged section 2li-20 of Figure 3 showing a staple inclinched position; and rv Figure 21 is a fragmentary side elevationo1'-l reduced size of the head of the device.

l, 2l on the line Like reference characters areused to desigfeet may besecured, these generally having a protective bottom to engage furniture.The enlarged portion 2l of the base 20 may reach to a lower horizontalplane than the body 23 of the base. Said enlarged section is used tomount theparts employed for limiting the movement of the staple carryingand driving arm.`

Also, at the rear end 2| of the base 20, is an L shaped lug 24 integralwith or secured to the base 20 in a suitable manner. The lug 2l isparallel to the base 20 and the leg 25 thereof projects toward the frontof the device.

At the front of the base 20, the material of the base is narrowed andforms a platform 2B in which an anvil is supported. At the sides of theplatform section 26 are ears 21 in which are apertures 28 to receivefeet. Thefeet may have covered bottoms to prevent the base 20 frommarring furniture or other surfaces on which the device may be used asshown. v

Pivoted in the side walls of the platform 26 at the front of the machineis a barrel like anvil 29 which is mounted for selective rotation. Theanvil 29 illustrated has four seats 30, 3|, 32 and 33 to receive staplelegs, each of the seats causing a staple leg to be bent or deformed. Allfour seats may be different one from the other. When desired two or moreof the seats may be identical, or all may be of the same type. Theselection of seats is a matter of choice.

Attached to the platform section 26 is an anvil locking lever 35 whichhas a heel section 36 held in position by a machine screw 31 or thelike, a main body 38 having a detent 39 thereon, and an extension formedinto a.- nger piece 40. A spring 4| (leaf or wire) is associated withthe lever 35 to urge it clockwise about screw 31 so `that the detent 39engages in one of four slots 42 provided therefor vin anvil 29 to holdthe anvil 29 in a selected position whereby a selected seat (30, 3|, 32or 33) is in operable position in respect to a staple driving plungershortly to `be described. There are as many slots 42 as there are usableseats (30, 3|, 32 and 33) and each slot 42 is disposed to register withthe detent 39 to maintain the selected seat in alignment with the stapleplunger. l i

At one end of the anvil 29, there is an index 43,

1 so that by number or by other insignia, a particular seat is indicatedto be in registry with such staple plunger. To permit of a change in theposition of the anvil 29, the finger piece 40 is depressed with one handor a finger. With the other hand or another fingerl or ngers, the anvil29 is rotated by a knurled head 44projecting to the side of the platform26. Such handle may be an integral part of the anvil structure.

'I'he anvil locking member 35 may be at the side of theplatform 26 asillustrated. It could be internally disposed of base 20. The lever 35may have thereon a lug projecting laterally. Under the lug, the leafspring 4| may extend about the machine screw 31 on which the lockinglever 35 is pivoted and be anchored in the plat'- form 26 adjacent therear thereof. A seat may be arranged in the vertical shoulderintermediate platform 26`and body 23. Any suitable fastening means maybe employed between spring 4| and its associated parts. When desiredusually,

and as shown, it is positively held.

said anvil is seated in an aperture 52 provided therefor in the sidewall of the platform 26.

On the side wallv of platform 426 is a plate 53 having a slot 54. Theplate 53 is secured to the side wall of the platform 26 with the openingin the slot 54 upwardly or downwardly disposed,

as preferred, so that a reduced section part 5| at the end of anvil 29will be partially surrounded. A screw or rivet 55 may be inserted intothe reduced part 5I, the head thereof engaging the' plate 53 at the sideof the slot 54 to prevent longitudinal movement. Screw 55 may bereplaced byl an integral head which is the preferred structure. Plate 53may be attached to the platform 26 in any suitable manner to firmlysecure it in position, as for example screws 56. The head 55 preventsaxial displacement of the anvil 29 rela.-

tive to the platform 26 by reason of the engagement of the head 55 withplate 53, while providing ready assembly of the parts.

Several forms'` of .anvil dies are shown. That in the same fashion asthe end of a staple in anvil die 33. By the employment of an undercutseat as is shown in Figure 3, the other .end of the staple is bent orformed into a hook like sectionwhereby it may be readily manipulatedwith the fingers. The staple, as it is bent outwardly, has its end awayfrom the undercut seat impinge against a square detent shoulder 33awhich ara rests the end of Wire while the other end is forced around asemi-circle groove 33h with an undercut-portion preventing the wire fromjumping up. The seat is so designed for easy removal when material hasbeen shaped as shown in Figures 18B and C. Thus, an elongated staple isformed which may be withdrawn from a stack of papers by a straight pull,the staple-,behaving in the fashion of a pin. The anvil just describedis not designed for use with stap/le engaging means such as areillustrated in Figures 4 to 9, inclusive, but is appropriate for usewhen the staple path is free from friction increasing parts contactingthe bridge of the staple. Y

Die 32 in anvil 21 bends both ends of the staple outwardly as is shownin Figure 18D.

. The staple carrying member includes a solid member 51 having its end51a milled into a U- shape forwardly and under the plunger housing.About the member 51 is a U-shaped member 58 which also extends into theplunger housing. The members 51 and 58 form a track which guides staplesunder a staple driving plunger, the staples 34 being of a typeindividually formed and adhesively secured in an elongated U-shapedstrip. A

In the upper member 58 is a longitudinal slot 59 to allow the passage ofa staple follower. The members 51 l and 58-are joined one to another bysuitable machine screws or by rivets, as preferred, the drawingsillustrating pins l6|) with threaded ends.

The material of the members 51 and 58 may have shoulders therein orbeformed to effect the track for the staples 34 while providing a lowersection through which the' pins 60 pass without interfering with themovement, of the staples. Spacer sleeves 60a may be disposed on theShanks of the pins 60 at the milled out section 51a.

At the rear of the members 51 'and 58 are parallel extension members 6|.Intermediate members 6| are a plurality of pins 62, these being suitablyspaced. By these pins the extension members 6| may be rendered true. InFigures l and 2, two of said machine screws 62 pass through the members6|, 51 and 58, and two are disposed adjacent the rear of the extensions6|. Inter- -mediate the two pairs of machine screws 62 just mentioned,the extension members 6| are pivoted to extension 25 of the lug 24 by abearing pin 63.

The position of the pins 62 and 63 in,rela.tionto the parts 51 and 58 issuch that no interference is had with the ready loading of staples 34into base 28 projecting through the aperture 65 which does not. fittightly thereabout.

Within the open section of the U-shaped housing64 is a sleeve 68 withturned in end 69, which end ilts closely about the post 61. Within thesleeve 68 and engaging the turned in ends 69.

is a spiral spring 10, the upper end of which is adapted to be seatedbeneath the head of a screw member 1| which is secured to the post 61.In this manner,.the tension of the extension arms 6| -about their pivot63 is regulated because movement of the head 1I rotatively determinesthe spring pressure on the said extensions.

The upper internal face of the sleeve 68 which is longitudinally splitis threaded to receive a nut or cap 12 and to iirmly hold said capinadjusted position. The position of'the base of nut 12 determines thelimit of the upward movement`of the extensions and the adjustment of thehead 1I determines the rebound thereof. Because the sleeve 68 is looseabout the post 61, the cap 12-provides an eective stop for the angularmovement -of the` extensions. Usually the adjustments of the spring 10are made at the factory'but the adjustments of cap 12 may be made in thehands of the user to allow the head of the device being set as low asthethickness of the material to be Istapled will permit.

Plunger guiding rollers 18a, 10b and 18e are disposed on pins in thehousing and are arranged' to provide guides 'for the rear face of theplunger. The rollers or collars may be on such pins to facilitate readymanipulation of the plunger.

The plunger 12a may be square in cross section and the plunger may havemeans to prevent a partial driving stroke. The staple driver may bearranged to deform a staple head in one of the two manners shown in thedrawings.

The plunger 12a is spring actuated on its upward stroke and has a driver8| secured thereto in any suitable manner. Any desired arrangement ofstops to limit the uppermost and lowermost position of the plunger ordriver may be had.

There may be disposed upon the staple carrier, a housing member 14. Theplunger 12a may be formed by articulating a sheet of material with thecontiguous edges thereof broughttogether upon any side as, for example,.upon the rear as illustrated. Upon the top of the plunger 12a, thehandle 13 may be secured in any desired fashion as by a process ofriveting or of spot welding orotherwise. The staple driving member 8|comprises a relatively thin sheet of hard material suitably secured tothe plunger 72a.

A cover -15 employed to close the open back of the U-shaped housing 14has ears 16 which engage against the outer wall of said housing'to-besecured tightly thereagainst. Screws 18 extend through the ears intothe` U-shaped housing member 14. A spring 18a. may extend about astandard 19 and is used for forcing theplunger 12a upwardly whereby thestaple driver 8| normally is maintained in its upmost position.

Within the housing 14. is a die block 88 having a body in which a trackin the form of a staple I the magazine or track formed by members 51wide vertical groove is provided. Therer is'a U- shaped slot 88a in thedie block 88 to receive the ends of members 51 and `58 which terminatein part upon the face vof the track portion and ush therewith.

The inner member 51 is undercut at its front end to provide an opening51a cooperating with the die block opening 80a to provide an always openpassageway in under side of the staple carrying arm for the discharge ofmutilated or broken staples.

Because of the inverted U-shape of the aperture 80a. in the die block80, there is an upwardly projecting tongue therein. In the verticalsections of slot 80a between theouter edges of the openingy and thetongue are angular shearing faces 80D against which a bent or deformedstaple is driven bythe staple driving plunger 8| in the course of lthedownward movement of the l plunger 12a to' discharge a staple from thedevice.

The end of the outer magazine member 58 is secured in the die block 80in such a manner that the lip of the member 58 at its top edge, isadapted to extend through the die block, the front-face of the member 58being flush w ith the back face of the track therein. i

The inner member 51 of the magazine terminates in a U-shaped extensionwhich is adapted to rest on the to'p of the tongue in die block 80 andextend wholly thereacross. At its back, the die block 88 has ashouldered section 80o to receive the ends 58D of the magazine mem,- ber58 and to render more secure the assembly.

InFigures 4, 5 and 6 the staple vdriver 8| is shown with its lowermostend having three 'verf tical grooves 82, the grooves 82 being inparallelism. One of the,grooves 82 is at each edge of the driver 8| andthe other-is at the center.

In the housing 14, there is provided by stamping or by other suitablemeans, three complemental ridges 83 which register with the grooves 82in the driver so that the driver 8| may make a full stroke Without anypartof it binding upon the housing 14. w

A staple discharged over the end of the U" shaped track member 51 isadapted to rest in the track in the die block 80 until the plunger 8|strikes it across its top to force it along the die block 88 by way ofthe track therein and into material beneath the head 13 and ori theanvil 29. The ends and bridge of a staple 34 are adapted to normallyrest upon the top of the ridges 83 in the housing 14, there to be heldagainst acci--4 dental displacement and in readiness for the drivertostrike.

When the driver 8| is forced down by a manually delivered blow upon itshandle 13, the driver 8| strikes the staple 34 across its flat top and'forces its legs 84 and top 85 downw rdly between ridges to engage thestaple is that the center ridge which tapers from the beginning or upperpart to the bottom, the distance being closer at the bottom than thetop, causesl a steady friction on the middle of the top of staple,the-friction increasing on the staple as it is being forced downwardlyinto the material. This friction holds thetop of the staple rmly againstthe bottom of the driver and keeps the middle of staple from bucklingwhile going through material. The outer ridges are not tapered but areso spaced that they prevent the inside of the staple legs from bendinginwardly or buckling while being driven into material. This makes itpossible to drive the staple throughV harder materials or more materialthan otherwise would be possible.

In such an arrangement the staples 34 cannot be freed from the die block80 accidentally, and no amount of shaking or manipulation of the devicewill dislodge a staple 34 in the die block 80 from its normal positiontherein. When desired, the track in the die block 80 may be providedwith ridges and the driver 8| supplied with grooves (at the oppositeside from that now shown) to produce the same effect as that which hasjust been described.

Another way to support a staple at its top to prevent bucklingdownwardly in its center is by having the center deformed as shown, thecenter ridge being straight or slightly tapered closer to die block atthe bottom. The wire of the staple is bent sideways andthe temper in thewire is sufficient to keep the upper part or bridge of staple pressingupwardly against bottom of plunger blade to prevent it from bending orbuckling while setting into material. The outer grooves or ridges arebrought to the inside of the legs to keep the legs of the staple frombuckling or bending inwardly. Another advantage in forming the upper orbridgeof staple as shown is to have it laymore flat and square afterstapling the material. Oifsetting the wire sideways helps to maintain itat.

In Figures 7, 8, and 9, the die block 80 has a channel yor track whichis irregular in horizontal cross section. The irregularities on thevertical face of the die block 80e, those on the front of the housing14e and on the two faces of the driver 8|e are complementa] andcorresponding. Means for preventing buckling of a staple 34 in itsdownward course with coincidental deformation is provided bysuch'irregularity in cross section. The housing 14e at the front mayhave ridges- 86 therein and the die block 80e at the rear may have acorresponding formation 81 so that the staple 34 as it is moved down inthe track in the die block 80e is frictionally supported to the extentthat it is bent across its top section intwo directions as is shown inthe staple illustrated in Figure 18G. A staple with a laterally formedbridge similar to that illustrated in Figure 18G i Y ls disclosed andclaimed in an application Serial No. 39,247, filed September 5, 1935, byWilliam G. Pankonin, the applicant herein. The faces of the driver 8|e,the housing 14e and die block 80e are such that the driver 8|e in itsdownward ight, under manual urge, does not bind against the housing ordie block but is free to move the full length of the die block trackwithout material frlctional obstruction. 'I'he die block and housingshown in -Figures 7, 8 and 9 also prevent any accidental dislocation ofa staple 34.

In the present form of the invention, the cover 15 for the housing 14instead lof being secured in close proximity to the U shaped housing atthe point where track members 51 and 58 pass thereinto has ears 9| whichoverlap onto the housing 14, there to be secured by screws or rivets.The lower end 92 of the cover 15 is away from the housing 14 to allowthe passage of the staple follower which is positively stopped at theend of the slot in member 58. The sides of the cover adjacent such cutaway position are at an angle to the rear edge of the housing 14 so thatif the staple followerv spring is released, the spool or cross bar atthe end thereof will impinge the angularly disposed sections of thecover 15 which act as a spring-like cushion to break the force of anyblow which the spring might otherwise deliver against the housing 14when the spool is released from the follower. In the center of the coveris a tongue 92a. which is bent to accommodate the follower spring sothat when the spring Y is lifted upwardly it will be bent around thetongue 92a rather than at an abrupt and disrupting angle.

New means for securing a spool or cross bar to a spring is illustrated.At the end of a spring is an auxiliary leaf spring |0| which is dis--posed on the top of the staple follower spring |00. The outer end |02of the leaf spring I0| may be turned upwardly. f

In association therewith is a staple follower block. Such` lock has abody with wings, the wings extending upwardly and providing at the reara face at an angle of forty-five degrees or less from the perpendicular.The seat thus formed is in substantially the same horizontal tensionsfor preventing lateral movement of the body from the seat providedtherefor.

Beyond said collars or extensions, there may be provided enlargedsections-comprising flanges over which rubber or other elastic ringmembers may be supplied as shown. The ring member has a section whichextends overthe ends of the body as is shown. An alternative form has arubber web closing the ring at its outer end. Said rubber membersprovide cushions, facilitate nger gripping of the end of the body, andalso tending to prevent bending or damaging of the housing or -the covertherefor should the spring be released under tension and the handle orspool strike the housing or the cover therefor.

The staple follower is designated |04. It has ears |05 with a shallowgenerally vertically disposed seat |06 therein. The seat |06 is toreceive a spool or cross bar |01 having at its ends soft rubber fingerseats or cushions such as are illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. One formof cushion isa ring 81, Figure 2, and the other a ring 88 with a web 09across one side thereof, Figure 1.

The spring |00 is centrally disposed in respect to the cross bar |01 andis secured thereto by a U-shaped clip |09 which extends therearound, thecross bar |01 falling within the closed end of the U-shaped member |09.Between the legs |08 of the U-shaped member |09 is the end of spring |00and the flat spring |0|, the staple follower spring |00 and the atspring |0| being secured to the U-shaped member |09 by one or moreriyets passing through the U-shaped member, the leaf spring, and thestaple follower spring. More than one leaf spring may be employed whendesired. When a plurality of springs are used, the springs are staggeredas to length, the top spring being shortest. Such an arrangementprevents any possibility of the staple follower spring |00 kinking andbuckling and insures a .firm attachment of the staple follower `springto the cross member, but without undue binding and with certainty ofcorrect assembly of the parts in use. Such an arrangement also tainingthe tension upon the staple followerv spring, three different mechanicalarrangements are shown. In. Figures and 11 one form of such springtensioning apparatus is shown. A conjoint readingof the transversesection (Figure 10) and of the fragmentary elevation (Figure 11) shouldbe had. In the U-shaped housing 14 at one side thereof is a relativelyshort slot 9 to receive one end of the spring shaft ||1 while at theother side of the U-shaped housing 14, there is a key-hole slot |20.

The shaft ||1 comprises a body having a reduced end section |2|. Thereduced end section |2| is adapted to rest in the smaller and shorterslot I9. To maintain the staple follower spring shaft H1 against lateraldisplacement, there is placed upon the outer end of the reduced portion|2| of said shaft a head |22 which is of greater diameter than the widthof theslot thus preventing transverse movement of the shaftthe shaftadjacent the reduced section being of a diameter vgreater than the widthofthe slot.'

The outer end of said shaft has an oblong head l| 23. The width of saidoblong head is substantially the width of the narrow section of thekeyhole slot so that when said shaft ||1 has been placed in an adjustedposition, it will be held against rotation by the relatively close fitof the rectangular head |23 of theshaft I1 in the narrow andcomplemental portion of the key-hole slot |20.

The enlarged portion of the slot |20 is of a diameter slightly greaterthan the major transverse dimension of-the head |23 so that when. theshaft ||1 is moved to its extreme forward position in the machine, theshaft H1 may be rotated by a wrench or.by any other suitable tool in aclockwise direction to increase the tension upon the staple followerspring |00. When sufiicient tension has been obtained by the rotation ofthe shaft ||1 while its head is in the upper shaft in the slot whilednuse.

In Figure 10, a simplified means for attaching. the staple followerspring. |00 to the shaft ||1 is also illustrated.' The spring |00 at itswound end may be bifurcated as shown or provided with a greater numberof tongues than shown. The tongues |25 are adapted to be threadedthrough circular transverse apertures |26 arranged in parallelismadjacent the longitudinal center of the spring shaft |`|J after whichthe spring shaft |1 may be rotated to maintain the spring |00 inposition. Fastening members of suitable form may be supplied on spring|00 as desired but are not required.

'I'his method of attaching a spring allows a possible, thereby makingthat end strong and full width for winding purposes. In the mannerdescribed, a very wide spring may be attached securely to acomparatively small diameter shaft with but slightlytreducing thestrength of the spring at its starting end.

At the same time, the spring is maintained in position upon the shaft||1 so that 'as the shaft ||1 is rotated to increase the tension uponthe spring, no undue angular strain is\,placed upon that part of thespring |00 which is in juxtaposition to the shaft 1. y'I'here can be nolateral movement of a spring' so held.

A second form of Aspring tensioning device is shown in Figures 12, 13,14, and 15. In said form of tensioning device; the staple followerspring shaft |40 which is primarilya fiat piece of metal or the like hasa central body portion |4| pro- Nvided with a slot |42 therein. The bodyof at material has opposed wings. |43. These are extensions and are'bent over unntil substantially parallel. The metal of the member |40may be cut away to provide reduced sections |44 to facilitate bending ofthe wings |43.l Adjacent said reduced sections |44, the shaft |40 isenlarged. the width of the enlarged sections |45 being greater than theaverage diameter of the slots in the housing 14 in'w'hichit rides. Bythe enlarged sections |45, the shaft |40 is normally held againstlateral displacement, when the ends of the shaft |40 are disposed in theopposed walls oi housing 14. One end |46 of the `shaft |40 comprises arelatively narrow vrectangular portion projecting from the enlargedportion |45 and is adapted to turn freely in the slot |41. The slot |41may be truly circular. when desired. It may be of the same configurationas the slot opposed to it now to bevdesoribed, or it may be elliptical,`

the preferred form.

At the opposite side of the housing 14, a second slot |48 is provided.Said slot is of a shield shape and it has teeth |49 complementally butoppoi sitely disposed. One section of said slot is substantiallysemi-circular, such half circle being broken substantially dametricallyby the inward-.T45

ly projecting teeth 49. A line-,drawn through the body |4| when restingon Athe teeth |49 would be truly diametric.

The slot |48 has an enlarged section |50 having two extending portions|5| which are approximately one hundred twenty degrees apart. The ends|52 of the shaft |40 comprise a normally rectangularsection which has alength equal to the diameter of the half-circular vsection of theQ Theshaft |40 is inserted through the slot |48 by employing the enlarged end|52 thereof. After a spring |00 is threaded through land about the shaft|40 as shown in Figure 14, there is no tend- 'ency for the shaft to'escape because the tension of the spring |00 wound around' the shaft inthe manner shown in Figure 14 maintains a constant tension avoidingmovement of the` shaft toward the front of the device.

Under the inuence of a winding tool 09, move- 05 ment of the shaft |40to increase spring tension is in a clockwise direction. To accomplishthis movement, one end of the head |52 at the .bottom of slot |40 isdisplaced away from the radial tooth |40. Such head section is advancedinto the enlarged section |50 during which time the `upper head sectionis riding on the semi-circular .periphery of Ithe slot |48. When theshaft |40 has been rotated nearly one hundred eighty degrecs; theprevious`ly-upperv head section of the thereover, the lower (now upper)head section is moved in the enlarged upper part of the slot' to allowthe camming over of the other head section. When such' camming iscompleted, the further rotation of the shaft |40 forces the now lowerhead section into the enlarged lower section |5| of the slot while thenow upper head section cams over the upper tooth |49.

With the upper head section behind the upper tooth |49, the lower headsection recedes into engagement with -the lower tooth |49, the two teeth|49 preventing accidental counterclockwise movement of the shaft |40.Such counterclockwise rotation of the shaft |40 is prevented because thelength of the head section |52 taken is. greater than the diameter ofthe slot |48 from one tooth |49 to a point approximately one hundredeighty degrees therefrom. The rotation of the shaft |40 in a clockwisedirection, however, is relatively simple, once it is understood. Thehead |52 of the rectangular shaft |40 providesv cam faces operatingabout slot |148 and the teeth |49 in the slot |48, the periphery of thetoothed slot forcing the winged sections into one or the otherextensions |5| f the enlarged part |50 of the slot.

Reduction of the tension upon the spring |00 by a rotation of the shaft|40 in a counterclockwise direction, on the otherhand, is more dimcult,except under the guidance of a proper tool. Such reduction requiredselective manipulation of the parts to move the shaft and its wingsections away from the teeth |49 which normally prevent counterclockwisemovement, the avoidance of the teeth being one at a time to procure areverse rotation. The tension of the spring |00, even though veryslight, is suillcient to snap the shaft |40 into position against theteeth |49 to prevent further counterclockwise movementat all times,except when a tool 89, as shown in Figures 13 and 15, is applied to theshaft |40 and the operator carefully guides the head |52 of the shaft|40 in the two extensions |5| and away from the teeth |49.

A third form of spring tensioning device is shown in Figures 16 and 17.In such third form of the invention, elongated openings |370 and `|35are used in the U-shaped housing 14 now to be described. The opening |30has teeth.|3| in its periphery at the lower and rear sides thereof. 'Ihespring shaftl|32 comprises a main body through which parallel transversecircular slots |33 are formed to receive the bifurcated ends |25 of thespring |00. Like in the'iirst previously described ,I form of tensioningdevice, one end ofshaft |32 rides in an angularly disposed slot l|35 andis held in position therein by a head. The slot |35 is complemental toslot |30.

At its other end, the shaft |32 has a toothed with that of the largerslot |30 at the opposite side of the housing 14. The number of teethupon the -member |34'is a matter of choice, ve being shown. The shaft|32 may be moved upwardly and rotated in the two slots |30 and |35 inthe 2,083,049 shaft |48 strikes the lower tooth |49. As it cams housing14 by a suitable tool (not shown) inserted in slot |31.

When spring tension of sufficient intensity has been had upon thelfollower spring |00, the shaft |32 is allowed to move forwardly in theslots described, the teeth |3| in the larger slot |30 being adapted toresist counterclockwise movement because of their engagement with theteeth |36 on head 34. The shape and position of the teeth |3| is such,however, that for clockwise revolution of shaft |32 whereby the springtension is increased, rotative pressure on the shaft |32 will unseat themember |34, forcing it upwardly and forwardly in the slot |30 sufcientlyto permit of such rotation. The spring acts to hold the shaft firmlyinto position, The greater the tension on the spring the more firm theshaft is held in,

locked position.

This form of spring tensioning device admits of a ready rotation of theshaft |32 with a suitable tool to increase the tension of the spring,and a firm resistance against rotation in the opposite direction toreduce the tension of the spring |00 unless the shaft |30 is moved toits extreme forward extent of the two slots |30 and |35 in the U-shapedhousing.

Flanges 14a may be used in the housing 14 (see Figure 10) to providespring guides and to prevent displacement of the wound spring axiallythereof. Such guiding flanges may be formed as and a strip of staples isplaced in the magazine.

The staples are in the form of an elongated strip, which strip isobtained by gluing wire staples together.` The individual staples arereadily separated one from another by forcing them apart, and in themachine, the end staple is`broken from the strip by the die block whichis adapted to impinge the end staple only. 'I'he thickness of the stapletrack in the die block is such that but one staple from the magazine canproject thereinto under the urge of the staple follower.-

.As a strip of staples has been placed in the magazine, the staplefollower is replacedat the end of the strip, and then the staplefollower spring is put in position to urge the follower along themagazine to force the staples, one at a time,

into the die block in the path of the staple driver.

The machine is now ready for use. Material is intermediate the drivinghead and the anvil. The staple driving head is forced downwardly thereonby a push or by a blow of the hand. The staple driver detaches ya staplefrom the strip and forces it against the anvil, penetrating any materialthat may be resting upon the anvil. The character of the deformationdepends on the particular por. tion of the anvil which is in registrywith the staple driver and the structure used for preventing thebuckling of the staple, two of which are described in the presentapplication.

When the staple driving head is released from the anvil, it rises underthe influence of the spring 1'0, the portion of the device disposed onthe rear section of thebase determining to what extent l the stapledrivingv arm will rise under the urge of the staple arm spring 10. Asthe staple driver rises, another staple is brought into position in thestaple track. by the urge of the staple follower spring.' 'I'he deviceis thus made ready for further use.

As soon as the machine is emptied of staples by `time operation of thestaple driver, the magazine v,xliaybe relled in the same manner in whichit spring, this is accomplished by rotating the staple follower springshaft in .the clockwise direction. Deformed or defective staples arebroken apart or cut into pieces by the staple driver forcing the legsthereof lagainst the face 8012.

The length of the beam is such that the staples may be placed a greatdistance from the edges of the sheets to be stapled. The character ofstaple deformation has already been discussed. The staple carrying armis capable of varied adjustment, 'stops being provided for limiting theupward movement thereof, and the spring tension therein being adjustableto control the rebound. s'

While several-forms of the invention are shown, it is not to beunderstood that the forms illustrated are the only forms which theinvention may take. The scope of the invention is to be measured by theappended claims.

What I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent in theseUnited States is:

1. A stapling device comprising a beam magazine having a discharge endand a loading end, a base of greater length than said magazine andhaving one end in registry with the discharge end of said magazine, andan extension member in alignment with said magazine secured to andprojecting a substantial distance from the loading end thereof andpivoted to the other end of said base to provide a loading throat forsaid device between said base and said magazine of substantially greaterdepth than the length of saidmagazine.

2. In a stapling device, a base, astaple driving part, a rotary anvil insaid base and having selected sections cooperating with said stapledriving parts to clinch staples, and means for positively locking saidanvil in any selected position comprising spaced apart recesses in saidanvil, and a dog havinga pivot at one side of said anvil and anoperating handle -at the other side thereof mounted on said base andhaving a tooth intermediate its pivot and said handle insertable into aselected recess. i

3. In a stapling device, a base, a staple driving mechanism pivotedthereto, an anvil mounted .transversely of said base and rotatable toselectively determine a section thereof to be used for clinching astaple, and means for positivelyv .locking sairlanvil against rotationcomprising spaced apart recesses in said anviland a substantiallyhorizontal dog mounted longitudinally of said base and transversely ofsaid anvil and having a tooth insertable into a selected recess..

the bridge of such staple and normal to the di rection of the leg of thestaple before deformation. 1

5.. In a stapling Adevice employing a preformed U-shaped staple, astapling anvil having a die 5 seat provided with an undercut part.adapted tov deform a leg of such staple into a hook the body of whichlies in a plane parallel to the face of the anvil.

6. In a staple driving device having a magastaple driver, a. followerfor staples, and a cover for `said housing having a spring-like sectionprojecting awayfrom said housing and forming a cushion stop for saidfollower.

8. In combination with a staple driver, a housing, a magazine projectingtherefrom, a follower in said magazine, andJa cover for said housing andhaving a spring-like portion projecting away from said housing and oversaid magazine and forming a cushion stop for said follower.

9.. In a stapling device, a housing having transverse walls, a sectionof said walls having flat faces parallel to the bridge of a staple andforming a track-for unobstructed movement of such staple, andanothersectionof said Walls having faces with complemental opposedirregularities 3o 'obstructing the free passage of such staple anddeforming the bridge thereof when such staple is forced therepast.

10. In a staple driving device having a magazine, and a staple followerin said magazine, a

spring for said follower, and a shaft for said spring, said shaft havingparallel openings thereacross,'and s dv spring having end furcationsAinsertable into said openings.

` 11. In a staplingdevice, a housing having an 40 eccentrically shapedaperture in the side thereof, a magazine, a follower in said magazine, aspring i for said follower, and a shaft for said spring having a headnormally held against rotation by the walls of the housing about saideccentrlcally shaped aperture and rotatable therein when displacedagainst the tension of said spring. i

12. Spring holding means in a stapling machine having a staple magazine,a follower in said magazine, and a spring for said follower, and

comprising a housing having a toothed aperture therein away from theperiphery thereof, and a shaft for said spring and having a toothed headposed. in said aperture and forms a shaft for saidspring.

14. In combiation, a staple driving head, a

shield-like aperture therein, and a atmember 60 rectangular inform, oneend of which is dismagazine for staples, extension members on saidmagazine,a base to which said extension members are pivoted to supportsaid magazine, and spring means adjustably disposed with respect to saidextension members for limiting upward movement of said driving head. 15.In a stapling device, a beam magazine for a. preformedstaple having abridge, a housing at the discharge end of said magazine and comprisingmembers spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the thickness ofand form- "F6- ing a track for the discharge of such staple, such trackcomprising two sections, one section being adjacent the discharge end ofsaid magazine and having fiat opposed walls parallel to the bridge ofsuch staple, and the other section being a continuation of the rstsection and having opposed walls areas of which are not in parallelismwith the bridge of such staple.

16. A stapling device comprising a beam magazine having a discharge endand a loading end, a base of materially greater length than saidmagazine and having one end in registry With the discharge end of saidmagazine, magazine supporting members having an end pivoted to the otherend of said base, connecting members between the loading end of saidmagazine and the free ends of said supporting members for holding saidsupporting members and said beam magazine in alinement, said supportingmembers projecting from said magazine for providing a loading throat forsaid device between said base and magazine substantially more extensivethan the length of said magazine, spring means actuating said supportingmembers to lift said magazine, and means for determining the height towhich said magazine may be lifted under the urge of said spring.

VV17. A stapling device comprising a beam magi azine having a dischargeend and a loading end, a base of materially greater length than saidmagazine and having one end registry with the discharge end of saidmagazine extension members at the other end of said base and pivoted atone end thereto, connecting means between the free end of said extensionmembers and the loading end of saidmagazine for maintaining saidmagazine and extension members in alinement and for providing a loadingthroat for said device between said base and said magazine substantiallymore extensive than the length of said magazine, and means upon saidextension members for regulating the angular position of said magazinerelative to said base.

18. A staple driving head comprising a plunger, a driving blade securedto said plunger, a housing about said plunger, and pins having rollersthereon to form bearings for said plunger.,

19. A staple anvil comprising a body having a depression provided withan undercut portion for forming a semiloop ina staple, and means forpreventing axial movement of said staple in said anvil during itsdefamation.

20. In a stapling machine, an anvil having a seat provided with ashouldered section at one y end to spread one leg of a staple and toarrest the movement thereof', and a grooved section and an undercut partat the other end to deform the other leg of said staple into an arcuatesection lying in a horizontal plane.

21. In a staple driving device, a staple driving section comprising abeam magazine for staples having a loading end and a disch'arge end, abase, and paired parallel complemental members pivoted to said base andsecured to the slides of said beam magazine adjacent to and projectingfrom its loading end in alinement therewith to provide a loading throatfor said device in said magazine, in combination with a spring for saidfollower and wound within said housing, and a leaf spring secured tosaid follower spring at its end to facilitate attaching of said woundspring, the two springs separating one from another away from such end.

25. A terminal for the free end of a staple follower spring for use in astaple driver, comprising the combination with said staple followerspring of a leaf spring, a clip fitting over said staple follower springand said leaf spring, and fastening means extending through said staplefollower spring, leaf spring, and said clip.

26. In a staple driving device, a housing, a staple driver in saidhousing, and a die block, the housing and die blockforming a track forthe discharge of a staple, said parts having irregularv faces, and saiddriver having opposed faces complemental to the adjacent faces of saidhousing and die block.

2'7. In a stapling machine, a housing having a keyhole slot in one side,a staple magazine, a follower in said magazine, a spring for saidfollower, and a shaft for said spring having a rectangular headrotatable in the circular part of said slot and held against rotation inthe extension portion of said slot.

28. The combination described in claim 12, and in which the teeth insaid housing and said head are arranged to facilitate a winding of thespring to increase the tension thereof, and A to rmly resist unwindingof the spring. l

29. Spring holding means in a stapling machine having a staple magazine,a follower in said magazine, and a spring for said follower, andcomprising a housing having walls with an aperture of irregularconfiguration therein, and a shaft member comprising a at sheet ofmaterial extending from one wall to the other wall of said housing andseated and braked in said aperture, said shaft member having extensionsfrom the body thereof intermediate said walls and folded about saidshaft, and said spring being rolled about said extensions.

30. The combination described in claim 13,

land in which said yshaft member comprises a blank having a central slotand extensions folded angularly to provide an arbor for said spring,

charged therefrom, a staple discharging plunger,

and means upon one of the walls of said head for engaging and deformingthe bridge of a staple laterally to support said bridge against bucklingwhile being driven into material.

32. A staple driving head comprising walls forming a staple dischargepath, one of said walls having a section possessing ribs extending inparallelism with and of a length substantially equal to the length ofthe legs of a staple driven therepast and providing a stop for apreformed staple before being driven, said ribs engaging the in- 34. Ina staplingfdevice, a head having a side wall with an aperture therein,said aperture being away from the edge of said Wall, a spring in saidhead, and a. shaft for said spring, said shaft and said aperture havingcomplemental and cooperating teeth adapted to interlock under thetension of said spring.

35. In a stapling device, a head having a side wall with an aperturetherein, said aperture being away from the edge of said wall, a shaft insaid head, and a spring on said shaft, said shaft and said aperturehaving complemental and cooperating teeth adapted to interlock under thetension of said spring.

36. In a stapling device, a head having a wall with a keyhole slottherein away from its edge, a shaft having a rectangular section adaptedto be seated in the complemental extension of said slot, and a springon4 said shaft the tension of which prevents the unseating of said shaftfrom said extension.

37. In a stapling device, a housing, having ,vertical parallel sidewalls, ashaft in said housing, and a coil spring, said housing inproximity to said shaft having inwardly directed transverse tangs theedges of which engage the edges of the coiled spring to arrest movementof said spring axially of said shaft.

38. A stapling device having a housing with walls forming a path for astaple as it is driven into material and coextensive in Width with thebridge of said staple, said walls having one section with straight fiatparallel walls spaced apart a distance equal to the thickness of th'estaple 'materiaL and another section having oppositeiy undulatingcomplementary walls deforming the bridge of a staple into a multiplicityof transverse curves.

39. A stapling machine comprising 'a U-shaped housing, a die blockarranged transversely of said housing and providing therewith astapledischarge path, said die block having an inverte:l U-shapedopening therein, a beam magazine com prising an inner and an outermember between which staples are advanced for discharge one at a timethroughsuch staple discharge path, said -inner member at its fronthaving its sides removed to provide a lip extending through the U-shapedopening in said die blockand partly surrounding the tongue thereof, andsaid outermember also having sections of its sides removed aridregistering with the opposite wall of the U-shaped slot, the material ofsaid outer member engaging the rear of said die block.

40. A stapling machine comprising a housing U-shaped in cross section, adie block arranged transversely of said `housing and having at its rearface parallel longitudinal shoulders, said die block having an invertedU-shaped slot there in, and a magazine comprising a U-shaped innermember having a front extension partly surrounding the tome in saidU-shaped opening, and an outer member U-shaped in cross section andhaving a top and side extensions spaced o e from another, the topextension being dispos d in said U-shaped slot and the side extension.;being seated against the material of -said die block at the shoulderedsections thereof.

lil. A stapling machine comprising a housing U-shaped in cross section,a die block arranged tversely of said housing and having at 'its rearface parallel longitudinal shoulders, said die block having an invertedU-shaped slot therein, and a magazine comprising a U-shaped inner memberhaving a front extension partly surrounding the tongue in said U-shapedopening, there being a space at each side of said member beneath saidyextension and between its front end and said die block to provide anever open passage auxiliaryto the staple path between the die blockstaple driving head having therein a die block providing a stapleejection chute and having a transverse opening, and a magazinecomprising upper and lower guide members for staples, theupper memberengaging the opening in said die block from one direction and the lowermember engaging the opening in said die block from anf other directionto position said die block in said driving head.

44. In a stapling device, a housing U-shaped in longitudinallytransverse cross 'section for a staple driving mechanism, a beammagazine for staples in said housing, a spring coiled about an axis insaid housing and operating a. staple follower, a staple follower in saidmagazine, and a cover plate to close the open side of said U-shapedhousing, said cover plate having an inwardly bent section in alent withand engaging said spring to prevent said spring from being sharply bentas it is withdrawn from the magazine.

45. In a stapling device, a staple driving tool, and a staple dischargechute into which a preformed staple having a straight bridge portion isreceived, said chute and driving tool coacting with one another and withsuch staple to laterallr deform the bridge of such staple 'duringitsmovement through said chute. K

46. In a stapling machine. a staple driving and a discharge chutethrough which staples are ejected one at a time by said driving mech,there being ribs projecting into said discharge chute away from the legsof a staple therein to engage the bridge of such staple andV andhousing, and an outer member U-shaped in to support such bridge frombuckling or bending as such staple is being discharged from said chuteinto material by said driving tool.

47. A stapling machine comprising an ejection complemental to the ribsin said machine to form a clearance space between said tool and chute.'

48. In a stapling machine having a staple discharge chute, a beammagazine for staples comprising a core upon which staples ride, guidingmeans directing the staples along said core, a die 'block forming a wallof such ejection chute and having an opening in such wall, the ends ofsaid core and 0f said guiding means extending through such opening insaid die block and being substantially flush with such wall of theejection chute, said beam magazine delivering staples to vsaid chute,and said die block having cutting edges to sever bent or crooked staplesand an aperture adjacent said cutting 'edges and removed from such chutethrough which parts of severed staples may fall.

49. In a stapling machine, a housing, a reciprocal staple drivingplunger in said housing and `having bearingwalls, and antifriction meansin said housing operative upon one .of said walls during thereciprocation of said plunger within said housing.

50. In a stapling device, a. staple magazine, a

staple follower in said magazine, a staple follower spring, connectingmeans between said followerV spring and said follower, and a cushioningmeans upon said connecting means.

51. A stapling-machine having a die block providing a portion of astaple ejection chute, a staple driving means, and a staple magazinecomprising upper and lower guide members for staples, the 'upper memberengaging said die block from one direction and the lower member engagingsaid die block from another direction, and said members guiding staplesthrough said block into said ejection chute.

52. In combination, a staple driving tool, and a staple driving headtherefor comprising walls forming a staple discharge path, said headhaving at least one wall with a rib positioned therein away from thelegs of a staple, said rib engaging the bridge portion of a staple toprevent such staplelegs are driven into and through material.

53. A stapling device comprising a base, a beam magazinefor stapleshaving a discharge end and a loading end, extension members upon thesides of said magazine and extending i'to the rear of the loading end ofsaid magazine and pivoted to said base, and spring means for elevatingsaid beam magazine from said base, said spring means being positioned tothe rear of the pivot between said extension members and said base.

54. In a stapllng device having walls `forming a discharge chute, amagazine for staples; and a die block at the end of said magazine andforming apart of the walls of such staple discharge chute, said blockhaving an inverted U-shaped slot therethrough, said magazine comprisingopposed parts one of which is upon the upper edge of the tongue ofmaterial forming the interior face of such U-shaped slot in said blockand the other part being upon theA outer face of said U-shaped slot, andthere being a space between said magazine parts for staples to slide tosuch discharge chute.

55. In combination, in a stapling device having a staple dischargechute, a staple driving tool, a beam magazine for staples to be fed-tosaid tool and comprising a member forming a staple track upon whichstaples ride and guide means to maintain staples on said track, and adie block forming the rear Wall for-such staple discharge chute andhaving an opening therethrough, 'thematerial of said track and of saidguide means extending through the opening in said die block and the endsof said track and guide means being substantially ilush with the face ofsaid block forming the rear wall of said ejection chute whereby saidstaple driving tool may act upon staples in said magazine one afteranother to drive them out of said discharge chute.

56. In a stapling device having a discharge chute with front and backwalls, a beam magazine for staples comprising a core forming a stapletrack and guide means to maintain staples on said track, and a die blockhaving an inverted U-shaped slot therein, the material of said coreextending through the U-shaped slot in said die block and partlysurrounding the tongue of material in said block forming the inner faceof said U-shaped slot, the material of said guiding means alsoextending. through said U-shaped slot, and the front ends of said coreand of said guiding meansand the front face of said die block being insubstantial alignment and forming the rear wall of such ejection chute.V

57. In a stapling device having walls forming a discharge chute throughwhich staples are disbridge portion from buckling or bending as thecharged one at a time, a beam magazine for such staples, a stapledriving tool for discharging,

such staples, and a die block having a slot therein and forming one ofthe walls of said discharge chute, the ends of said beam magazineextending into said slot and being substantially flush with the frontface of said ejection chute, and a portion of said die block extendingabove said magazine and forming a rear guide for said driving tool.

58. In a staple driving device, staple driving means, a driving tool insaid means, a staple carrying arm, there being a staple discharge chutebetween said arm and driving means, said arm having a face with ridgesprojecting into said chute to act as supporting means for a staple andsaid driving tool having complemental grooves to clear such ridges andto prevent fric.

